Apoloe “Cryptonite” C8 Cartomizer Review

The C8 Cartomizer from Apoloe known as the “Cryptonite” at some vendors is the latest in the trend of souped-up cartomizers designed with eGo specific connections. The C8 cartomizer brings some very sharp looks and upgraded materials to the jumbo eGo cartomizer party. I’ll also be talking about some nice performance. But, you’ll want to read the rest of the C8 cartomizer review to find out what the big “gotcha” is with this otherwise promising cartomizer.

Design

The Apoloe cartomizer at first blush feels like a solidly crafted and upscale cartomizer. It features steel accents and a thick frosted plastic liquid tank. As seems the popular thing to do lately, the cartomizer is skirted with threads, meaning it is made for use with eGo cartomizers or an eGo specific adapter (which you can pick up at MadVapes).

The interior components are also steel, with the exception of the airway tube which is a neon green plastic thing. This is a bottom-coil design featuring two wicks leading inside the heating coil chamber. In fact, if you are familiar with the Vortex or G4 cartomizer design, the C8 cartomizer will look very familiar.

There are some differences between the older technology and that found in the Cryptonite carto. Specifically, everything is made of metal, and the atomizer chamber and air tube are two different pieces. The C8 also differs in that there is about half an inch of wick sticking out and not the tiny nubs in the G4.

Over on the other end of the cartomizer, the design is very different from the old G4 design. The top features a dual gasket system. The inner gasket features a pin hole for filling. A second silicon cap with a short tube fits atop the inner gasket. There is a small bump on the bottom of the outer gasket, which should cover the pinhole on the inner gasket.

The short tube fits into the mouthpiece of the cartomizer to form a seal with everything. In between the top and bottom is a frosted high impact clear tube that holds a little under 2ml of e-liquid.

Filling the C8 Cartomizer

This is one of those e-cigarette accessories where there’s a “trick” to filling it up. The bottom coil design is sensitive to pressure, and a special technique is needed to keep liquid inside the cartomizer where it belongs.

To fill the carto, remove the tip and the outer gasket. Insert a syringe needle or tip from a needle tipped filler bottle into the large hole on the inner gasket. Hold the cartomizer and syringe tilted up, where the bottom of the cartomizer is pointing up.

Gently fill the cartomizer. Be careful, some e-liquid is likely to dribble out the filler hole. Once filled, leave the cartomizer horizontal (or upside down even) and insert the inner carto.

Here’s another tricky part. Make sure the bump on the bottom of the other gasket covers the filler hole on the interior gasket. I didn’t realize this early on reviewing this carto and the cartos leaked heavily, to the point of nearly damaging my ProVari. Fortunately thanks to advice from ProVape support I was able to get things working again.

To be honest, I still don’t trust these cartomizers. The leaking is an issue G4 cartomizers also have. I would recommend against storing your APV (advanced personal vaporizer) upright with that cartomizer attached. Lay it down when not in use just in case it decides to bathe your device with 2ml of e-liquid.

Performance

So here’s the big question. Is all the hassle (and potential e-cigarette damage) worth it?

That is actually almost a fair tradeoff. We’ll assume for the moment proper care and caution will prevent any major leaking catastrophes. I can’t really fault the performance on the C8 cartomizers.

I suppose I should qualify that just a little. The C8 is also one of those devices that needs a little time to hit its stride. The first tankfull on this unit was ho-hum. However, after the second fill up, this device really came to life.

As I kind of hinted at before, I tested this device on my ProVari so I could try different voltages. My Cryptonite carto dialed in around 2.5Ω so I tested it between 3.5 volts (which is what a typical eGo should output) and 4.5 volts (to see if it burns). It’s probably also worth noting that my traditional test e-liquid is an 80%PG blend at 1.6% nicotine content.

Within that range, I was most impressed at the lower range. At eGo voltages, this cartomizer performed amazingly well. Naturally, the vapor was pretty cool in temperature. However, there was plenty of it and it was quite dense to boot.

Flavor production was pretty solid as well, with no funky after taste. I think this is one of best low voltage performances I’ve seen in a while.

4.5 was a somewhat different story. Things started out great. Massive vapor that was pleasingly warm, good flavor and a noticeable improvement in throat hit.

Unfortunately, the C8 couldn’t keep up with my aggressive chan-vaping ways. After the first few puffs, I started to get a pretty harsh burn taste.

If you are more leisurely, you can probably sustain higher voltages. Vaping fiends, however, might want to dial the voltage back to around 4.2. You still get a very solid vape, albeit with a little less warmth to it.

Too Long; Didn’t Read

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The Apoloe C8 (Cryptonite) eGo cartomizer is a flat-out classy looking carto. It also has a solid feel thanks to generous usage of metal parts. The performance on underpowered eGo style devices is quite impressive. Higher voltage fans will find it solid south of the 4 volt range, but it quickly falls apart at voltages above that. This performance comes at a price, if you make a mistake in the filling, reassembly, or storage process, your e-cigarette is likely to get a bath.

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24 Comments

Errol

Curious Steve as to what problems were created with your Provari? I'm guessing misfiring problems. More curious as to how you were able to clean and correct it with ProVape's help. I ask because one of my LTs is starting to misfire and am wondering if the same cleaning solution might work for me?

Basically, I was able to determine the ProVari was outputting way more voltage than it was set for. I'd either get E1 errors or a badly burnt carto. I got it on the inline meter and found while it was set at 3.0 volt it was outputting nearly 5v for example :) ProVape had me wash it with high proof rubbing alcohol. I plan on writing a whole article about it in the future.

My button can be testy on my Lavatube as well, which I think is more a mechanical thing than anything else

Errol

You are probably right about the LT. Given I can see the button from the bottom I'll probably try flushing the button with alcohol using a syringe needle point from the outside letting it drain out the bottom. But then again perhaps I'll wait to read your article for the niceties. :)

Errol

I wanted to get some Everclear Alcahol but the nearest Utah liquor store doesn't sell it and local drug stores seem to only carry 70% so I went on line and ordered a quart of 99% Isopropyl Alcohol . Don't particular like the lingering smell of Isopropyl but I don't seem to have a choice. Would imagine the additives are what left the haze on your window, assuming you used Isopropyl.

Bobbin

Steve, I’ve recently bought one of these and am wondering when the break in period will actually pass, I’m on my second full tank now and it still tastes terrible. Any suggestions for a decent tank to fit an Ego-T?

Errol

Does it hold two batteries like it appears in the picture? Suppose it could be using the electronics from their 3.7V, 5V and 6V Vision V6. At forty dollars I suppose one can't expect much. I'll just have to wait for a 3.5A from LT and hope they stay with the + and – button arraignment that has spoiled me for any other arrangement.

Errol

Appears Smoktech is making a brass VMax in an attempt to duplicate the Provari with all their features plus two batteries, 5amps? and an under load output voltage reading for a fixed $128 for the body only. http://www.vapingzone.com/Smoktech_Variable_Volta…

Errol

Errol

Once I realized the VariStack did hold two 18350 batteries I decided to order one also, black was my choice. Even if it only handles 2A at least I'll know what the under load voltage actually is at all stages of battery depletion.

Steve

I think your review of the C8 is about the best review I’ve read online so far. I also watched the videos on Youtube and viewing them as a person that never used the C8 before, the videos made it seem like an excellent product. After using the C8 for some time now, I’ve come to realize that those who posted videos about it were either paid by the company or just totally clueless as to making an accurate review of a product. I personally wouldn’t recommend these to anyone because they don’t last and I haven’t found a place that sells replacement coils.

My C8 didn’t actually leak but the vapor (liquid) that accumulates within the space between the mouthpiece and silicone cap requires you to need a napkin or drop cloth of sort because once you pull

the mouth piece off, be ready for the liquid to come running out. It’s ALWAYS a messy job to refill so be prepared.

I’ve gone through 6 C8’s so far and the longest I could get mine to last is 3 weeks. When I take them apart, the coil and wick are burnt together in such a thick crust that it prevents liquid from reaching the coil, resulting in very little smoke after just 2 weeks. I use mine moderately and what starts out as an enjoyable experience doesn’t last very long.

I’m still searching for a clear tank setup that’s worth the money you pay so if you

Steve

Bagman

This might be a little old, but can you rec a place to get these now? Gotvapes doesn't show them on their website anymore, and I can't seem to find them anywhere. I have seen these pictured with a cap which is my most needed feature. Or can you rec another way to have a cap on an EGO or EGO mini that's as compact as possible? Thanks for your help

Bagman

Thanks Steve, I looked at them, but they seem quite large for the mini setup I'm trying to make, but they might work for my larger setups. They are pretty hard to find most places as well. I'll just keep searching, I know everyone has their "perfect" ecig they're trying to evolve. I just want one large setup for regular, and one micro setup for palm vaping when I'm sick of explaining to everyone what it is I'm doing. You have great reviews, thanks for your help.

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